Service members and local community band together for National Public Lands Day

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Jeffrey Troutman | 151003-N-ON468-018 PEARL HARBOR (Oct. 3, 2015) Steelworker 2nd Class Phil Franks, left, helps pick up trash with local civilian volunteers along a bike path near Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam in honor of National Public Lands Day. The bike path cleanup was sponsored by Afloat Training Group Middle Pacific, who adopted the nearby Kalauao stream and regularly provide cleanup efforts to the surrounding area. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeff Troutman/Released)  

PEARL HARBOR, HI, UNITED STATES

10.03.2015

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jeffrey Troutman 

Navy Public Affairs Support Element Detachment Hawaii

PEARL HARBOR --Sailors and Airmen from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and groups from the local community gathered at the ancient fishpond, Loko Pa’aiau, at McGrew Point Navy Officer housing on Oahu and community bike path to perform a cleanup event for National Public Lands Day (NPLD), Oct. 3.
The event was the fifth annual cleanup for Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and the second event at Loko Pa’aiau, ,which attended by approximately 100 volunteers from several units across the island, Native Hawaiian Civic Clubs, Damien High School Football Team, Holy Family Catholic Academy, AECOM, various Girl Scout Troops, DoD personnel and local Hawaiian community members. The groups came out to help with the ongoing restoration efforts of the pond and cleaning up the local community.
“This is an ancient Hawaiian site, and is over 400 years old,” said Archeologist Jeff Pantaleo, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Hawaii. “The pond is still in good condition and we came out here today to clear away trash, invasive mangrove vegetation and plant native plantlife here.”
Pantaleo said the cleanup was not only a part of NPLD, but also a continuation of the pond’s restoration efforts the local community has been involved in since September 2014.
“The volunteer effort here is fantastic and continues to grow,” said Pantaleo. “It just goes to show that everyone from the local community to the military presence here on the island are attracted to these preservation efforts, and it really helps to build our relationship with the local community.”
Volunteers for the pond cleanup ranged from military service members from all branches, local Girl Scout troops and even students from nearby high schools.
“The pond is a very special place to the community, and it has a lot of history here on the island,” said Caleb Burnett, a junior from Damien Memorial High School in Honolulu, and a Life Scout with local Troop 488 in Newtown. “It’s awesome to come out and see so much participation from so many different backgrounds when we come together for events like this.”
Burnett said it makes him especially proud to see his fellow students volunteering their off time to aid in such cleanup efforts.
“I enjoy being out here and helping with this kind of event, but I’m especially grateful when I see my fellow high school classmates or troop members out here, as well,” said Burnett. “The last time we did this, we had over 40 volunteers from my high school alone, and it made a huge impact on the cleanup efforts.” Burnett, who is working on achieving the rank of Eagle Scout, coordinated the first cleanup event in July.
Nearby Loko Pa’aiau, a different cleanup event involving military members and local community members was also conducted at a bike path that borders Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH). The bike path cleanup saw prominent involvment from Afloat Training Group Middle Pacific service members who aided local volunteers in clearing the bike path of trash and debris.
“The joint base volunteers are always enthusiastic to be out here helping,” said Chief Master-at-Arms William Matteson, the JBPHH volunteer coordinator for the bike path cleanup. “It’s just a great way to come out and support the local community and show that we care about the areas outside of the base as well.”

• Date Taken: 10.03.2015
• Date Posted: 10.06.2015 19:26
• Story ID: 178198
• Location: PEARL HARBOR, HI, US